San Saba Pecan Brownies

Makes 2 dozen

1 1/2 cups butter
5 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 1/2 cups sugar
6 lg. eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. chocolate morsels
1 cup toasted Oliver Pecan Pieces
Confectioners' Sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 13x9x2 inch baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil; lightly grease foil.

In a medium microwave safe bowl, combine butter and unsweetened chocolate. Microwave at high in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until butter and chocolate are melted and smooth, about 2 minutes total. Set aside to cool.

In a large bowl, beat sugar and eggs at high speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in flour and salt.

Add melted butter mixture, stirring well. Stir in vanilla, chocolate morsels, and pecans. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 35-38 minutes, or until center is firm. Once cool, lift brownies from pan using foil as handles. Dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

CHILE CHEESE LOGS

Makes 12 appetizer servings
Prep: 25 min., chill: 2hrs.

2 (8 oz.) packages light cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3 green onions, finely chopped
3 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1 tsp. adobo sauce from can
1/2 tsp. creole seasoning (we use slap ya mama)
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. hot sauce
1/2 cup Oliver Pecan Midget pieces, toasted
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
assorted crackers

Process first 10 ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Divide cheese mixture into 2 equal portions; shape each portion into an 8 inch log.

Combine pecans and cilantro. Roll cheese logs evenly in pecan mixture; wrap in plastic wrap. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve with assorted crackers.

ANOTHER FRIDAY

Cold front hit today along with about an inch of rain. Harvest will stop til about Monday. Thanksgiving coming up and lots of people stocking up on pecans, candy and pies. A day off on Thursday will be nice.

Friday night football again. We won last week and face Cisco the no. 8 team in the state. It will be good cold football weather tonight. Last week the stadium was packed with about 3,000 people in our stands, which is pretty good when we only have 2,600 population. Another large crowd tonight expected, it will be standing room only. I love small town friday night football.

Busy week here, not only pecan harvest, but we also have a huge high school basketball tournament going on with 20 teams. So, we have 1 playoff football game and my daughter has 5 basketball games in 5 days. Town is hopping, every hotel is full, restaurants are packed, deer hunters are still here, it is great time for San Saba right now.

CHEESECAKE PRALINE SQUARES

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup butter, melted
2/3 cup Oliver Pecan Midget Pieces
2 tbl. confectioners' sugar

FILLING:
3 packages (8 oz. ea.) cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
4 eggs, lightly beaten

TOPPING:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup Oliver Pecan Pieces
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extact

In a bowl, combine the flour, butter, pecans and confectioners' sugar. Press into an ungreased 13 in. x 9 in. x 2 in. baking dish. Bake at 350 for 20-24 miniuts or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the milk, vanilla and lemon peel. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

In a saucepan, combine brown sugar and cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pecans and vanilla. Pour over cheesecake. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Cut into squares.
Yield: 15 servings

Another Friday

We had some Pawnee and Desirables come in today, we are very lucky to get them. This crop is disapperaring quickly. Lots of trees shed the pecans due to the stress of the drought. What looked like a limb breaker crop in some areas has now become a very light crop. The life of agriculture. There is no need to ever go to Vegas, we gamble enough everyday.

Another short day for me today, we have a playoff game tonight in Early against the Wall Hawks. There will be between 5-6,000 people a the game tonight, got to get there early to get a seat. Every friday morning we meet for coffee with the head coach from 6:30 - 8:30 and talk football and about everything else that happens in a small town. We solve lots of lifes problems on Fridays. I wouldn't trade small town life for anything. We will get back to pecan mode tomorrow.
Wish us luck tonight, GO DILLOS.

CHOCOLATE COCONUT BALLS

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Makes 4 dozen balls

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)
1 (14 oz.) package flake coconut
1 cup finely chopped Oliver Pecans, toasted (midget size works best)
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 cup (6 oz.) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups (18 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tbls. shortening

1. In large bowl, stir together sweetened condensed milk, coconut, pecans, bread crumbs and miniture chocolate chips; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.

2. Shape mixture with greased hands into 1 inch balls. (Mixture will be moist) Place on wax paper; cover with wax paper and let stand 8 hours.

3. Melt chocolate chips and shortening in a large saucepan. Spoon chocolate mixture evenly over coconut balls, covering top and sides completely and allowing excess to drip. Place on wax paper and chill until firm. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

DEER SEASON

Deer Season, has started. It is great for our economy. The town is filled today with hunters from all over Texas and Louisiana and while they are here they have to get pecans, candy, etc. for the camp site and then when they go home they have to stock up with pecans for their wives. Hard to drive thru town with as many people that are here today, we actually have traffic jams at times, which is unheard of in a town of 2,800. We love the hunters and what they bring to our community.
I have to skip out early today to go to the football pep rally, sons a senior and starting tailback, we are 7-2 (8-2 after tonight hopefully) and going to the playoffs. Luckily, we have some great employees that take care of the business so I can attend my kids events. Wish us luck, GO DILLOS. (yes, we are the Armadillos)